Philippians was
most likely written from Rome in about 61 A.D.
or 62 A.D. Paul’s reference to the palace guard
in Phil. 1:13, as well as his concern about
facing possible death in verses 20-26 indicate
the letter was written from Rome. The Philippian
church was established during Paul’s Second
Missionary Journey. When the Philippian
believers heard about Paul’s imprisonment in
Rome, they sent Epaphroditus, apparently their
preacher, to minister to Paul. Epaphroditus
personally ministered to Paul and brought him a
financial contribution. The book of Philippians
is a thank you letter to the Philippians. Paul
provides many exhortations and challenges to the
Philippians, so the primary theme of the letter
is “living the Christian life.” Epaphroditus
became so ill while in Rome that he almost died
(2:27). After he recovered, he took Paul’s
letter to the Philippians. Philippi was a
Roman colony and Anthony ordered some Roman
soldiers to live there after the Battle of
Philippi in 42 B.C. Also, in 30 B.C. Octavian
forced some Italians to give up their homes and
go to Philippi to settle. These residents of
Philippi were given special privileges,
including the “Italic right.” This right gave
the Philippians the status of Roman citizens,
including exemption from taxation. Thus, Paul’s
words “live as citizens” (1:27) and “our
citizenship is in heaven” (3:20) had special
meaning for the Philippians. I.
Encouragement for Living the Christian Life
(1:1-30) A. Paul’s
praise of the saints at Philippi (1:1-8) Paul often
began his letters with greeting, praise and
commendation for the recipients of the letter.
Paul was very gentle with the Philippian
believers. (Phil 1:1 KJV) Paul and
Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to
all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at
Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Paul was his
Gentile name as Saul was his Hebrew name. Paul
used his Gentile name to address the
Philippians. Paul calls himself a servant of
Jesus Christ instead of referring to his
apostleship. Timothy was associated with Paul’s
imprisonment (2:19,23) and Timothy had a special
interest in the Philippian saints ((2:20). The
word “saints” is a generic term for all of God’s
chosen people, including the Christians in
Philippi. It simply means “those set apart” and
does not imply any specific level of maturity.
All Christians are saints, whether they are
faithful or unfaithful. Saved Jews and saved
Gentiles outside of the Church Age are also
saints. Paul includes
the “bishops and deacons” among the saints of
Philippi. The bishops were the overseers or
elders (Titus 1:5, 7) in the local church. They
were responsible for shepherding or pastoring
the flock (cf. Acts 20:17, 28). The “deacons”
were church leaders with special
responsibilities for serving the members of the
local church (cf. Acts 6). (Phil 1:2 KJV) Grace be unto you,
and peace, from God our Father, and from the
Lord Jesus Christ. Paul uses the
terms grace and peace to greet the Philippians.
The word grace refers to the divine influence of
the Holy Spirit upon one’s life, and peace
refers to the peace of God that comes from this
divine influence. The Christian is spiritually
saved by grace and he receives peace with God at
the time. The grace and peace referred to here
goes beyond spirit salvation to Paul’s wish for
the realization of soul salvation via the divine
influence of the Holy Spirit upon one’s life to
the point of having the peace of God. Many
Christians are saved by grace and have peace
with God, but they do not allow the free
activity of the Holy Spirit to bring about the
peace of God in their lives. (Phil 1:3 KJV) I thank my God
upon every remembrance of you, Paul states his
endearment to the Philippians every time that
they come to his mind. (Phil 1:4
KJV) Always in every prayer of mine
for you all making request with joy, Every time they
come to his mind, Paul prays for the Philippians
requesting with joy for their continued
participation (i.e., fellowship) in the gospel.
The following verses confirm that Paul is
speaking of the gospel of the kingdom, which is
typical of Paul’s writings throughout the New
Testament. (Phil 1:5 KJV) For your
fellowship in the gospel from the first day
until now; Paul is stating
that the Philippians began their participation
or partnership in the gospel of the kingdom from
the first day of their spirit salvation. (Phil 1:6 KJV) Being confident of
this very thing, that he which hath begun a
good work in you will perform it until the day
of Jesus Christ: Paul states
that he is confident that the “good work” that
had been begun in the Philippians would be
continued on until it was completed at the day
of Jesus Christ. The day of Jesus Christ is the
time of the Rapture of Christians, whether it is
Firstfruits or the Main Harvest. The “good work”
to be completed or finalized is soul salvation.
(Phil 1:7 KJV) Even as it is meet
for me to think this of you all, because I
have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my
bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of
the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
The NIV
provides an excellent sentence translation of
this verse as follows: (Phil 1:7 NIV) It is right for me
to feel this way about all of you, since I
have you in my heart; for whether I am in
chains or defending and confirming the gospel,
all of you share in God's grace with me. Since the
Philippians received Paul and supported him both
personally and financially, they will share in
his sufferings in chains and for defending and
confirming the gospel. The Philippians will
receive credit at the Judgment Seat of Christ
from the work of Paul, since they shared in his
ministry. (Phil 1:8 KJV) For God is my
record, how greatly I long after you all in
the bowels of Jesus Christ. Paul states
that God is the witness of how Paul longs after
the Philippians with the tender affections of
Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:9 KJV) And this I pray,
that your love may abound yet more and more in
knowledge and in all judgment; Paul prays to
God that the agape
(i.e., love of God) in the Philippians
would abound more and more in the deeper
knowledge of God (epignosis) and in moral
discernment in ethical matters (i.e., judgment).
Paul is praying for their spiritual growth and
maturity. Paul desires that the Philippians
experience the love of God, the knowledge of God
and the moral discernment of God. All of this
results in practical righteousness and success
in living the Christian life. Please see my
dissertation: The Sermon
on the Mount for a detailed
explanation of the difference between imputed
righteousness and practical righteousness.
(Phil 1:10 KJV) That ye may
approve things that are excellent; that ye may
be sincere and without offence till the day of
Christ; The NIV
clarifies the meaning of this verse. (Phil 1:10 NIV) so that you may be
able to discern what is best and may be pure
and blameless until the day of Christ, Paul desires
that the Philippians know how to live the
Christian life so that they “MAY BE PURE AND
BLAMELESS” until the rapture of the Church.
Please note the conditional aspect of this wish
by Paul. These Christians “may be pure and
blameless until the day of Christ” but they may
not. The purpose is for them to experience
practical righteousness as described in the
following verse: (Phil 1:11 KJV) Being filled with
the fruits of righteousness, which are by
Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of
God. If the
Philippians are filled with the fruits of
righteousness, then they may attain unto the
glory and praise of God at the Judgment Seat of
Christ. At the Judgment Seat of Christ
Christians can experience the glory and praise
of God, or they can experience shame and the
contempt of God. Christians can receive a
positive judgment or a negative judgment. It all
depends upon their success in living the
Christian life. C. Paul’s
presentation of himself to the saints
(1:12-30)(Phil 1:12 KJV) But I would ye
should understand, brethren, that the things
which happened unto me have fallen out rather
unto the furtherance of the gospel; The apostle
faced much opposition but this did not distract
him from fulfilling God’s call. Even in chains,
the gospel was being preached and the message of
Christ was spreading among the Gentiles. The
Philippians were afraid that Paul was
discouraged and that the gospel of Christ had
gone awry. Paul was clarifying that it was on
course. (Phil 1:13 KJV) So that my bonds
in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and
in all other places; The spreading
of the gospel among the Gentiles came about
because of the “palace guard”. This almost
certainly applies to the Praetorian Guard, which
consists of Roman soldiers. In accordance with
Acts 28:30, Paul lived in his own rented
quarters, but he was guarded by these Roman
soldiers all the time. The Roman custom was for
a soldier to be continuously chained at the
wrist to Paul. This was tremendous opportunity
for Paul to witness to each Roman soldier and to
teach him the gospel of Christ. These Roman
soldiers would then become witnesses to their
friends and family. The attempt by the Roman
authorities to silence the truth only brought
about the furtherance of the gospel among the
Gentiles, which was the purpose of Paul’s
mission. (Phil 1:14 KJV) And many of the
brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my
bonds, are much more bold to speak the word
without fear.Paul’s
incarceration also had the effect of encouraging
others to speak out boldly for Christ. Large
numbers of believers began to speak out more
boldly and more courageously for Christ. (Phil 1:15 KJV) Some indeed
preach Christ even of envy and strife; and
some also of good will: Some preached
Christ insincerely out of envy and rivalry, but
some preached it sincerely and benevolently. We
have this same situation today with churches
competing for power and influence. The Laodicean
church today preaches the gospel out of selfish
ambition for power and money. (Phil 1:16 KJV) The one preach
Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing
to add affliction to my bonds: The ones
preaching about Christ out of contention sought
to do Paul harm and add affliction to him in his
incarceration. (Phil 1:17 KJV) But the other of
love, knowing that I am set for the defence of
the gospel. Others preached
Christ in sincerity and truth out of love for
the truth. These knew that Paul was appointed
for the defense of the gospel of Christ. (Phil 1:18 KJV) What then?
notwithstanding, every way, whether in
pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and
I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. Paul was glad
that the gospel of Christ was preached, whether
in pretense or in truth. It is a fact that many
are saved during the preaching of the gospel by
insincere Christians who do it out of selfish
ambition. (Phil 1:19
KJV) For I know that this shall turn
to my salvation through your prayer, and the
supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,Paul states
that he perceives that this will result in his
own salvation through the prayers of the
Philippians and the supply of the Holy Spirit.
Paul is addressing his own soul salvation coming
as a result of the prayers of the Philippians
and the filling of the Holy Spirit allowing
Christ to live in him. (Phil 1:20 KJV) According to my
earnest expectation and my hope, that in
nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all
boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall
be magnified in my body, whether it be by
life, or by death. Paul continues
to state that he has an earnest expectation and
hope that he will attain to soul salvation and
not be ashamed for anything at the Judgment Seat
of Christ. His earnest expectation is that
Christ will be lived out in his body, whether he
lives or dies. (Phil 1:21 KJV) For to me to live
is Christ, and to die is gain. Paul states
that if he lives Christ will be lived out in his
body, but if he dies he will profit from his
death as a martyr for Christ. Paul is stating
that he will profit either way, whether he lives
or dies for Christ. (Phil 1:22 KJV) But if I live in
the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet
what I shall choose I wot not. Paul states
that if he lives on in his body, he will perform
fruitful labor, but he is not able to choose
what he prefers to do. (Phil 1:23 KJV) For I am in a
strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart,
and to be with Christ; which is far better: Paul has a
strong desire to depart and be with the Lord, as
this is far better than living on this earth.
(Phil 1:24 KJV) Nevertheless to
abide in the flesh is more needful for you However, his
presence upon the earth is necessary for the
growth and maturity of the Philippian believers.
(Phil 1:25 KJV) And having this
confidence, I know that I shall abide and
continue with you all for your furtherance and
joy of faith; Paul states
that he is confident that he will abide upon the
earth and continue with the Philippian believers
to help them in their progress or advancement in
living the Christian life. (Phil 1:26 KJV) That your
rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ
for me by my coming to you again. If Paul is able
to go to them again, then they shall have more
abundant rejoicing in Jesus Christ at the
Judgement seat of Christ. Paul would like to go
and be with the Lord, but he needs to stay and
help the Philippian Christians in their maturity
in the faith. The more maturity that occurs in
this life, the more rejoicing there will be at
the Judgment Seat of Christ. (Phil 1:27 KJV) Only let your
conversation be as it becometh the gospel of
Christ: that whether I come and see you, or
else be absent, I may hear of your affairs,
that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one
mind striving together for the faith of the
gospel; Paul cautions
the Philippian Christians that whether he dies
or is able to come and visit them, their manner
of life (i.e., conversation) should be
appropriate to the gospel of Christ. He desires
that they be strong in the faith in one spirit
striving together to be strong, faithful
Christians. (Phil 1:28 KJV) And in nothing
terrified by your adversaries: which is to
them an evident token of perdition, but to you
of salvation, and that of God. He cautions the
Philippians not to be terrified by their
adversaries. These adversaries are Christians
that provide evidence of their destruction
(i.e., perdition) at the Judgment Seat of
Christ, but it will result in the salvation
(i.e., soul salvation) on the part of the
Philippians. Paul confirms that soul salvation
also comes from God. It occurs when the
Christian dies to self and allows God the Holy
Spirit to control them. (Phil 1:29 KJV) For unto you it
is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to
believe on him, but also to suffer for his
sake; Paul confirms
that the Philippian Christians are not merely
Christians, but it has been given to them to
suffer for Christ. This is confirmation of their
favor with God and the receipt of their
inheritance because of their faithfulness in
suffering for Christ. (Phil 1:30 KJV) Having the same
conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to
be in me.The conflict
that Paul mentions here is the contest for
winning the prize. Paul is stating that the
Philippians are contenders for being the bride
of Christ, just as they saw Paul contending for
this prize. They are also hearing about Paul’s
sufferings in chains for the purpose of winning
the prize. Suffering for
Christ was not to be considered as accidental or
as divine punishment. The suffering referred to
by Paul was a sign of God's favor. Paul and his
readers were suffering a similar struggle. They
wanted to know how he was faring in Rome. He
told them so they could be encouraged as they
also faced hardships. II. Examples
for Living the Christian Life (2:1-30) A. Mature
Christians manifest the attitude of Christ
(2:1-18)1. The
declaration (2:1-2) (Phil 2:1
KJV) If there be therefore any
consolation in Christ, if any comfort of
love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if
any bowels and mercies,Paul speaks of
four graces from God: (a) encouragement from
being united with Christ in his sufferings, (b)
comfort from the love or agape of God in the
midst of sufferings, (c) fellowship or
partnership with the Holy Spirit in performing
God’s work, and (d) tenderness and compassion
for fellow believers in the same suffering.
Paul is stating
that if these four graces are present in the
readers of this message, then they will make
Paul’s joy complete or fulfilled. This is stated
in the following verse: (Phil 2:2 KJV) Fulfil ye my joy,
that ye be likeminded, having the same love,
being of one accord, of one mind. The NIV
translates these verses as follows: (Phil 2:1 NIV) If you have any
encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort from his love, if any
fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness
and compassion,(Phil 2:2 NIV) then make my joy
complete by being like-minded, having the same
love, being one in spirit and purpose. If the readers
have the four graces described above, then they
will make Paul’s joy abundant by being of the
same mind as Paul. They will have the same agape
or love of God, and they will be united in the
same spirit and purpose as Paul. Paul is
encouraging these Philippian Christians to go on
into a maturity in the faith that is manifested
by the life of Christ, the love of God, the work
of the Holy Spirit, and the caring and mercy
that God has for fellow Christians. The mature
Christian lives the life of Christ, loves the
love of God, works in the power of the Holy
Spirit, and loves and cares for his fellow
Christians as God loves and cares for them. God
ordains the suffering of a mature Christian. As
stated in verse 29 above, God’s grace is
associated with both believing on Christ and
suffering for him. The expression
of spiritual unity among the Philippians would
make Paul’s joy complete. 2. The
Exhortations (2:3-4) (Phil 2:3 KJV) Let nothing be
done through strife or vainglory; but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better
than themselves. Paul exhorts
the Philippians not to do anything through
strife or selfish ambition (i.e., vainglory
meaning empty glory). Work in the church out of
strife or contention is of the flesh and not the
Holy Spirit. Also, Christians that work hard to
achieve fame and fortune on this earth are
working out of selfish ambition. Paul exhorts
the Philippians to work in “lowliness of mind”
and to “esteem each other better than
themselves.” It is true humility when a
Christian esteems other Christians as better
than himself. This attitude occurs when the
Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit and
walks close to God. Any Christian walking in the
light sees his own flaws and weaknesses much
better than he sees the flaws and weaknesses of
his fellow Christians. Therefore, he will be
filled with compassion and mercy for his fellow
Christians going through the same trials and
temptations. (Phil 2:4 KJV) Look not every man
on his own things, but every man also on the
things of others. The NIV
translates this verse as follows: (Phil 2:4 NIV) Each of you should
look not only to your own interests, but also
to the interests of others. Please note
that Christians are to see after their own
interests, but they are ALSO to look after the
interests of others. 3. The
Humiliation of Christ (2:5-8) (Phil 2:5 KJV) Let this mind be
in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Christians are
to have the mind of Christ. This means that we
are to see things as Christ sees them. We are to
have his attitude. This is not a haughty
attitude looking down on our fellow Christians
that falter, but an attitude of compassion and
mercy on our fellow Christians in their
failings. (Phil 2:6 KJV) Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be
equal with God: “Being in the
form of God” means that Christ manifested God to
us in the body of Jesus. Jesus was God in a
body. Christ was the name of his divine nature
and Jesus was the name of his human nature. The
disciples were seeing and interacting with Jesus
Christ, so they were seeing and interacting with
God. Jesus Christ as God incarnate did not seize
upon this reality and act selfishly with it.
Most men can handle adversity but the true test
of a man’s character is to give him power. Jesus
passed this test with flying colors. (Phil 2:7 KJV) But made himself
of no reputation, and took upon him the form
of a servant, and was made in the likeness of
men:Instead, Jesus
Christ humbled himself to be a servant of man.
Becoming “in the likeness of men” means that
Jesus Christ also had the human nature in
addition to having God’s nature. This is the
hypostatic union of Jesus Christ. He was both
God and man, but he did not take upon himself
the sin nature of man. This was accomplished by
the virgin birth. The sin nature of man was
passed down through the blood, and the father
determined the blood of man. Since Jesus did not
have a natural earthly father, the passage of
the sin nature through the genes did not occur.
Jesus was similar to Adam in that he did not
have the sin nature as part of his human nature,
but He was greater than Adam because of his
divine nature. (Phil 2:8
KJV) And being found in fashion as a
man, he humbled himself, and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross.
As a human
being Jesus Christ humbled himself and became
obedient to God the Father and died for us. He
even died an ignominious death upon a cross,
which was a sign of being cursed. Jesus Christ
did not have the sin nature of man and he never
committed the first sin, but he became sin for
us. He suffered and paid the penalty for our
sins even though he never sinned himself. This
was true humility in its finest form and was
voluntarily submitted to by our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. 4. The
Exaltation of Christ (2:9-11)(Phil 2:9 KJV) Wherefore God also
hath highly exalted him, and given him a name
which is above every name:It was because
of his willing decision to do this for us in
obedience to the Father that Jesus Christ has
now been exalted to the highest position in the
universe. His name is above every name. This
means that his position, power and authority is
above every position, power and authority in the
universe. (Phil 2:10 KJV) That at the name
of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in
heaven, and things in earth, and things under
the earth; The position,
power and authority (i.e., name) of Jesus Christ
is such that every person should bow and worship
him. This includes everyone in heaven, everyone
in the earth and everyone in Hades and Tartarus.
Hades is the abode of the dead in the
subterranean world beneath the surface of the
earth. Tartarus is the pit or the abyss
underneath Hades and is the place where many of
the fallen angels are incarcerated until the
time comes for them to be set free to torment
mankind. This time of torment will take place
during the trumpet judgments during the last
half of the seven-year tribulation period.
(Phil 2:11 KJV) And that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Not only should
every knee bow but also every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The glory for
bringing this about goes to God the Father, for
He ordained all things and is bringing all to
fulfillment. 5. The
exhortations continued (2:12-18)(Phil 2:12
KJV) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have
always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence, work out
your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Paul continues
his exhortations to the Philippians with the
encouragement to “work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.” This is one of the
most misunderstood and misinterpreted verses in
the Bible. Numerous pastors have read this verse
and promptly stated, “Now this does not mean
that you need to work out your salvation.” The
verse means exactly what it states, but it is
not referring to spirit salvation. It is
referring to the salvation of the soul, which
must be worked out with fear and trembling. The
verse even clarifies that this salvation is to
be accomplished by the obedience of the
Philippians to God. Soul salvation is by works
of obedience to God. Soul salvation comes as a
result of fearing God and keeping his
commandments. This requires a study and
application of the Word of God (i.e., the
Bible). The following verse in James also
clarifies this requirement for soul salvation:
(James 1:21
KJV) Wherefore lay apart all
filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,
and receive with meekness the engrafted
word, which
is able to save your souls.The loss of the
soul at the Judgment Seat of Christ is not
eternal condemnation but the loss of rewards,
position and honor in the millennial kingdom. It
is a life wasted in the pursuit of earthly
things under the power and control of the
soulical nature (i.e., flesh nature). (Phil 2:13 KJV) For it is God
which worketh in you both to will and to do of
his good pleasure. Paul clarifies
that it is God who works in them so that they
will voluntarily choose to serve God and please
him. The choice to serve God and please him in
this life is an act of the will. Every
born-again Christian has the free will to choose
whether or not he will serve the Lord. It is our
life that will be judged at the Judgment Seat of
Christ, and we will be judged on the choices
that we make after we have been born again
spiritually. (Phil 2:14 KJV) Do all things
without murmurings and disputings: As Christians
who have chosen to serve God, we are commanded
by God to do all the things that we do without
complaining and arguing. These are two bad
habits of Christians, but we are to work and
serve God without complaining about our lives or
arguing about things. (Phil 2:15 KJV) That ye may be
blameless and harmless, the sons of God,
without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and
perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights
in the world; We are to work
and serve God without complaining and arguing,
so that we may be blameless and free from guile
and deceit (i.e., harmless). If we live our
lives in this manner, we can be children of God
who are blameless, pure, and undefiled in the
midst of the children of God who are froward and
have strayed from the correct path. The Greek
word translated “nation” is a reference to the
Church as a whole. It refers to all the
“begotten” children of God. The majority of the
Church is froward (i.e., crooked) which means
that they are stubbornly contrary and
disobedient. They have also become “perverse”,
and this means that they have strayed from the
correct path. The Greek word, teknon,
translated “sons” is more accurately translated
as “children”. The blameless and harmless
children (i.e., teknon) of God who will be
without rebuke at the Judgment Seat of Christ
will be adopted as “sons”, which is the Greek
word huios.
The presentation of the “sons of God” will be a
special event in heaven after the Main Harvest
Rapture of the Church. The following passage of
Scripture explains which “children of God” will
be adopted as “sons of God”: (Rom 8:12 KJV) Therefore,
brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to
live after the flesh.(Rom 8:13 KJV) For if ye
live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye
through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the
body, ye shall live.(Rom 8:14 KJV) For as many as are
led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of
God.(Rom 8:15 KJV) For ye have not
received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
but ye have received the Spirit of adoption,
whereby we cry, Abba, Father.(Rom 8:16 KJV) The Spirit itself
beareth witness with our spirit, that we are
the children (teknon) of God:(Rom 8:17 KJV) And if children
(teknon), then heirs; heirs of God, and
joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we
suffer with him, that we may be also glorified
together.(Rom 8:18 KJV) For I reckon that
the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory which
shall be revealed in us.(Rom 8:19 KJV) For the earnest
expectation of the creature waiteth for the
manifestation of the sons (huios) of God.This passage
very clearly states that all “brethren” that
live according to their flesh natures shall die,
but those “brethren” that crucify their flesh
natures and “are led by the Spirit of God” shall
be adopted as “sons” (i.e., huios) of
God. Verses 16 and
17 clearly state that we are all children (teknon) of
God and this makes us heirs of God. However, we
will only realize our inheritance (i.e., be
joint-heirs with Christ) if we suffer with
Christ. The purpose of our suffering is so we
can realize our inheritance and be glorified
with Christ in his coming kingdom. Those
Philippians and any members of the Church who
are obedient to God shine as lights in the
Church (i.e., world). The Greek word for world
is the word kosmos
and it is a reference to the whole
Church. The Greek word for “nation” above refers
to the begotten or family of God, and the Greek
word for “world” refers to the Church. Most of
the Church have strayed from the correct path
and become disobedient, but the ones who have
remained faithful serve as lights and salt in
the Church to provide spiritual light and
prevent further corruption. NOTE: Verse 15
above distinguishes between faithful and
unfaithful Christians and not between the saved
and unsaved. (Phil 2:16 KJV) Holding forth the
word of life; that I may rejoice in the
day of Christ, that I have not run in vain,
neither laboured in vain.Paul confirms
the distinction by saying that these faithful
Christians hold forth the “word of life”. Paul
is exhorting the Philippians to remain faithful
by “holding forth the word of life” so that he
can rejoice in the day of Christ that he has not
run in vain, nor labored in vain. Paul wants the
Philippians to realize soul salvation and be
manifested as “sons of God” so that his efforts
will not have been in vain. Please understand
that Paul will receive his reward for running
and laboring, whether the Philippians remain
faithful or not, but Paul wants them to also
receive the reward of soul salvation and the
adoption as sons of God. The “word of
life” is the teaching about soul salvation and
the requirements for attaining it. The “day of
Christ” is the time of the Main Harvest Rapture
of the Church when all of the Church is in
heaven around the throne praising and serving
God. The “day of the Lord” will be taking place
on the earth at the same time that the “day of
Christ” will be taking place in heaven. The time
for both is the same but one takes place in
heaven while the other is taking place on the
earth. The time for both is in the middle of the
seven-year tribulation period immediately after
the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church. (Phil 2:17 KJV) Yea, and if I be
offered upon the sacrifice and service of your
faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. Paul knew that
his death was a real possibility, and he viewed
himself as being poured out like a drink
offering on behalf of the Philippians. Also, the
work or service of the Philippians was
considered an act of worship. The Greek word for
“be offered” refers to a drink offering being
given as a sacrifice to God. Even though Paul
thought his life was about to end in execution,
he still rejoiced and wanted the Philippians to
rejoice with him, as is seen in the following
verse: (Phil 2:18 KJV) For the same
cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. Paul wanted the
Philippians to rejoice also because their
service was considered an act of worship. God
desires that all Christians make themselves a
living sacrifice as described in the following
passage of Scripture: (Rom 12:1 KJV) I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service.(Rom 12:2 KJV) And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God. Many Christians
are conformed to this world, and they are never
transformed in this life by the renewing of the
mind. If they are not transformed in this life,
then God will transform them at the Judgment
Seat of Christ and their lives will perish. This
is the loss of the soul (i.e., life) at the
Judgment Seat of Christ. B. The
servants of God & the manner of life the
believer is to follow (2:19-30)(Phil 2:19 KJV) But I trust in
the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto
you, that I also may be of good comfort, when
I know your state. The
incarceration of Paul prevented him from
visiting the Philippians, as stated in verse 12.
Paul’s concern for the spiritual welfare of the
Philippians caused him to send Timothy to
minister to them in his place. This epistle was
to be delivered by Epaphroditus with Timothy’s
visit following. Paul was also looking forward
to Timothy’s report about the condition of the
Philippians. (Phil 2:20
KJV) For I have no man likeminded, who
will naturally care for your state.Timothy was
greatly interested in the welfare of the
Philippians. There was no one else in Rome that
cared for the Philippians as much as Paul,
except for Timothy. (Phil 2:21 KJV) For all seek
their own, not the things which are Jesus
Christ's. Paul states
that all the Christians that were associated
with Paul in Rome—other than Timothy—were
concerned with their own interests and not the
interests of Christ. The Main Body of the Church
today is primarily interested in their own
interests in this world, rather than the coming
kingdom of God. This is why the majority of
Christians today have no interest in the Second
Coming of Christ, and actually prefer that it
not happen at this time. (Phil 2:22 KJV) But ye know the
proof of him, that, as a son with the father,
he hath served with me in the gospel. Timothy served
with Paul in the ministry of the Gospel as a
child would naturally serve its father. This had
already been demonstrated or proven at the
writing of this epistle. (Phil 2:23 KJV) Him therefore I
hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see
how it will go with me. Paul hoped to
send Timothy to the Philippians very soon, as
soon as he found out what was going to happen to
him. Paul was apparently awaiting a legal
decision in his case. (Phil 2:24 KJV) But I trust in
the Lord that I also myself shall come
shortly. Even though
Paul was going to send Timothy either way, Paul
was trusting in the Lord that he would be
released so he could also visit the Philippians.
(Phil 2:25 KJV) Yet I supposed it
necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my
brother, and companion in labour, and
fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that
ministered to my wants. Paul decided
that it was necessary to go ahead and send this
epistle with Epaphroditus to encourage the
Philippians. Epaphroditus was a Christian, a
co-laborer with Paul, an associate in Christian
toil, a messenger or apostle of Paul and a
minister to Paul. As a co-laborer he worked
side-by-side with Paul. As an associate in
Christian toil (i.e., fellowsoldier) he suffered
the same kind of hardships and persecutions that
Paul suffered. As an apostle of Paul he went out
on missions for Paul. As a minister to Paul he
attended to the wants and needs of Paul. Epaphroditus
was a common Greek name and means one that is
favored by Aphrodite—goddess of love and beauty
in the Greek. The Roman counterpart was Venus.
This probably means that Epaphroditus was a very
handsome and charming man. (Phil 2:26 KJV) For he longed
after you all, and was full of heaviness,
because that ye had heard that he had been
sick. Epaphroditus
earnestly longed to be present with the
Philippians, and he was greatly distressed or
anguished because he knew the Philippians were
distressed over his illness. This is real agape
to be distressed over someone else’s emotions
and feelings. It is one thing to be distressed
over another person’s physical pain, but it is
true agape to be distressed over another
person’s mental and emotional pain. Epaphroditus
was sick unto death, but he was more concerned
over the emotional pain of the Philippians than
he was over his own physical suffering. This is
truly thinking of others and putting them ahead
of one’s self. This is self-sacrifice and
uncommon in the Church today. (Phil 2:27 KJV) For indeed he was
sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on
him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest
I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Epaphroditus
almost died but God had mercy on him and
preserved him from death. This also prevented
much sorrow in Paul’s life over losing a
faithful and trusted friend. (Phil 2:28 KJV) I sent him
therefore the more carefully, that, when ye
see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may
be the less sorrowful. Paul sent
Epaphroditus back to Philippi when he had
recovered. Paul wanted Epaphroditus to return to
minister to the Philippians. Paul apparently
felt badly that Epaphroditus had gotten sick in
his efforts to minister to Paul. Paul was very
anxious over this state of affairs and he was
relieved when Epaphroditus was returning to be
with the Philippians. (Phil 2:29 KJV) Receive him
therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and
hold such in reputation: Paul asked the
Philippians to receive Epaphroditus cheerfully
and to cherish him highly. (Phil 2:30 KJV) Because for the
work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not
regarding his life, to supply your lack of
service toward me. Epaphroditus
risked his life to minister to Paul and to
perform the services to Paul that the
Philippians were unable to perform due to their
separation. III.
Exhortations
for
Living
the
Mature
Christian
Life
(3:1-21)
A. The
necessity of the exchanged life for winning
the prize(Phil 3:1 KJV) Finally, my
brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the
same things to you, to me indeed is not
grievous, but for you it is safe. The word
“finally” in this verse shows Paul was
introducing a new subject. It also serves as a
clue that Paul has begun to conclude his
epistle. The things that Paul is about to tell
them has been told them before, but Paul needed
to tell them again for their safeguard. The word
“rejoice” appears several times in this epistle,
so the Philippians apparently needed this
encouragement. It is easy for believers to allow
circumstances discourage them, but the truth is
that we have much to rejoice about in the Lord’s
victory and our future inheritance. It is much
easier for Christians to rejoice in the Lord
when their focus is on the coming kingdom at the
return of the Lord. (Phil 3:2 KJV) Beware of dogs,
beware of evil workers, beware of the
concision. Metaphorically,
a dog is an impudent man of impure mind. A dog
is a man who lacks shame. A dog is a man who is
offensively bold and impervious to disgrace.
Paul is telling the Philippians to beware of
those Christian teachers who are boldly
deceptive. They are evil workers that put their
confidence in the power of the flesh. They add
works to grace as a requisite for spirit
salvation. Paul is referring to the Judaizers
who insisted that the physical act of
circumcision was necessary for spirit salvation.
Paul called them “the concision” or the
mutilators. We have the
same dogs and evil workers in the Church today
who insist that repentance is a prerequisite for
spirit salvation. Repentance is a work that
Christians are expected to do, but it is
unnecessary for spirit salvation. We also have
those dogs and evil workers who teach that water
baptism is a necessity for spirit salvation.
Water baptism is a physical act that serves as a
sign that a Christian intends to die to self and
allow Christ to live in him, but it is not a
requirement for spirit salvation. The actual
physical act of water baptism is not even a
prerequisite for soul salvation, but the mindset
that the physical act symbolizes is necessary
for soul salvation. All born-again Christians
are commanded to “repent and be baptized”. This
means that all Christians are commanded to turn
away from their life of sin, die to their old
nature and allow the life of Christ to be lived
out in their lives. The physical act of
circumcision is similar in that it means the
person is to “cut away” the old flesh nature and
allow the new nature to blossom in one’s life.
Many Christians
who have gone through water baptism still live
in accordance with their old flesh natures.
Also, many physically circumcised Christians
still live in accordance with their old flesh
natures. Paul explains the meaning of true
circumcision in the following verse: (Phil 3:3
KJV) For we are the circumcision,
which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice
in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in
the flesh.Paul states
that Christians that worship God in the spirit,
rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence
in their flesh natures are the ones who are
truly circumcised. Only Christians that have
crucified their old flesh natures can worship
God in the spirit. Similarly, the Holy Spirit
leads only Christians that rejoice in Christ
Jesus in spite of their circumstances. In
addition, only Christians that realize the utter
worthlessness of the old flesh nature are
willing to lose their souls for Christ. It is
necessary for a Christian to lose his soul for
the sake of Christ in order to save his soul at
the Judgment Seat of Christ. (Mat 16:24 KJV) Then said Jesus
unto his disciples, If any man will come after
me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow me.(Mat 16:25 KJV) For whosoever
will save his life (i.e., soul) shall lose it:
and whosoever will lose his life (i.e., soul)
for my sake shall find it.(Mat 16:26 KJV) For what is a man
profited, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul? or what shall a man
give in exchange for his soul?(Mat 16:27
KJV) For the Son of man shall come in
the glory of his Father with his angels; and
then he shall reward every man according to
his works.NOTE: Verse 27
confirms that soul salvation is a work of
faith that will be rewarded as a work. Verse
24 confirms that the requirement is to kill
the old nature and live like Christ. Water baptism
is the New Testament pictorial of losing one’s
soul for the sake of Christ. Circumcision is the
Old Testament pictorial of the same thing. Both
portray the mindset of dying to the old flesh
nature and allowing the nature of Christ to live
in us. This mindset is a lifelong work of faith
that must be continued until death or rapture in
order to realize the salvation of one’s soul at
the Judgment Seat of Christ. Jesus Christ was
the first to expound clearly on this, but it was
alluded to many times in the Old Testament.
(Phil 3:4 KJV) Though I might
also have confidence in the flesh. If any
other man thinketh that he hath whereof he
might trust in the flesh, I more: Paul emphasizes
the utter worthlessness of having confidence in
the old nature (i.e., the flesh). He uses
himself as an example of someone who might
mistakenly have confidence in the old flesh
nature. Paul is stating that if anyone had a
right to have confidence in the flesh nature,
then he would be the one. He is using himself as
an example for not having confidence in the old
flesh nature. (Phil 3:5 KJV) Circumcised the
eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the
tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews;
as touching the law, a Pharisee; Paul emphasizes
the reasons why he would be able to have
confidence in the flesh, if it were a legitimate
pursuit. He was circumcised the eighth day in
accordance with the Jewish law. He was a pure
offspring of Jewish parents, and out of the
tribe of Benjamin, which are direct descendants
of Abraham through Jacob and Rachael. He was a
Hebrew of Hebrews. This means that he followed
the letter of the law to the extreme and in his
meticulous following of the Jewish law he was a
Pharisee. These were the very conservative Jews
that went through all the motions of
religiosity. (Phil 3:6 KJV) Concerning zeal,
persecuting the church; touching the
righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Paul was a
zealous Jew, persecuted the Church, and was
faultless in following the legalistic
righteousness demanded by the law. (Phil 3:7 KJV) But what things
were gain to me, those I counted loss for
Christ.Paul finally
realized that all of these works of the flesh
were worthless and he forsook them all to follow
Christ. (Phil 3:8 KJV) Yea doubtless, and
I count all things but loss for the excellency
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for
whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and do count them but dung, that I may win
Christ, Paul considered
everything that he did in the power of his old
nature as worthless as manure. This is a very
strong statement against legalistic
righteousness. Many Christians do not understand
that Paul is comparing the legalistic
righteousness of the Jews with the practical
righteousness that comes through the power of
the Holy Spirit. He is not comparing the
legalistic righteousness of the Judaizers to the
imputed righteousness that we receive when we
believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins.
Every Christian has this imputed righteousness,
but every Christian does not have this practical
righteousness. This practical righteousness
comes through the crucifying of the old nature,
while allowing the new nature to perform
righteous acts in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul was seeking to “win Christ”, which means
that he was seeking to be the bride of Christ.
This happens through a “knowledge of Christ
Jesus my Lord”. The knowledge that Paul is
addressing is the moral wisdom that comes
through right living. It is the deeper, maturer
knowledge of things lawful and unlawful for
Christians. Paul explains the process in winning
Christ in the following verses: NOTE: Paul is
talking about a righteousness that he was
seeking, and not a righteousness that he already
possessed. Paul already possessed the imputed
righteousness of Christ, but he was still
seeking the practical righteousness of Christ.
In verse 12 below Paul states that he does not
consider himself to have already attained this
goal. It is very important for the reader to
understand the difference between legalistic
righteousness, imputed righteousness and
practical righteousness. Please read my
dissertation The Sermon on the
Mount for an in depth look at the
differences. (Phil 3:9 KJV) And be found in
him, not having mine own righteousness, which
is of the law, but that which is through the
faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of
God by faith: Paul is not
seeking to have a righteousness that comes
through keeping the Law of Moses, which is
observing the rituals laid down by Moses to the
Jewish people. Paul seeks to be “found in him”
and to have a righteousness that comes through
fidelity or faithfulness to Christ. This is the
righteousness of God addressed in the following
verse, and the righteousness that all Christians
should seek, after having already received the
imputed righteousness of Christ. (Mat 6:33 KJV) But seek ye first
the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and
all these things shall be added unto you. Practical
righteousness involves the integrity, virtue,
purity of life and the correctness of thinking,
feeling and acting that comes through the
empowerment of the Holy Spirit to produce the
fruit of the Spirit. This fruit of the Spirit is
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness,
Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. These
are all works that come from the filling or
control of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. They
are works of faith that come from God the Holy
Spirit and not from ourselves. Yet, they are
still works or deeds of righteousness that the
Christian practices in his daily walk with God
while filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit.
(Phil 3:10 KJV) That I may know
him, and the power of his resurrection, and
the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
conformable unto his death; Paul is seeking
to know Christ, “and the power of his
resurrection”. The word for “know” is the Greek
word ginosko
and refers to experiential knowledge of
Christ that comes through studying his Word and
getting to know him intimately. Most Christians
do not have an experiential knowledge of Christ
because they have not studied his Word. Paul also wants
to experience the power of the resurrection of
Christ. This means that he wants to experience
the life of Christ in his life. Paul desires to
live the life of Christ. This means that he must
also experience the sufferings of Christ. The
faithful Christian must take up his cross daily
and experience the suffering that Christ
suffered. The faithful Christian must experience
the death of the old self. This is the meaning
of “being made conformable unto his death.” Paul
greatly desires to experience the sufferings of
Christ and die to his old flesh nature, and he
gives the reason for this in the following
verse: (Phil 3:11
KJV) If by any means I might attain
unto the resurrection of the dead.The Greek word
for resurrection in verse 11 is exanastasis while
the Greek word for resurrection in verse 10 is anastasis.
Both are talking about a literal resurrection
from the dead. Verse 10 refers to the
resurrection of Jesus, but verse 11 is referring
to a special resurrection or out-resurrection
from among fellow Christians. It is a
literal resurrection, and it is "attained" by
good works. All Christians will be
resurrected from the dead whether they have good
works or not, but Paul wants to attain to this
special resurrection that he calls the out-resurrection.
It is a violation of basic principles of Bible
study to say that this out-resurrection is
figurative, and that it takes place at the
Judgment Seat of Christ. The context
leaves no doubt that Paul is talking about a
literal resurrection, and this resurrection can
only be attained by great effort. This
out-resurrection that Paul is seeking will take
place at the time of the Firstfruits Rapture of
the Church. It is a time when faithful
Christians that have died before the Firstfruits
Rapture will be resurrected out from among their
fellow Christians that have not been faithful to
the Lord. Please read my dissertation on The Separation
for an in depth look at this out-resurrection of
faithful Christians. The following
verse confirms this is a goal that Paul would
not dare assume he had already attained: (Phil 3:12 KJV) Not as though I
had already attained, either were already
perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend
that for which also I am apprehended of Christ
Jesus. This verse also
confirms the requirement for attaining to or
laying hold onto this out-resurrection. The
Christian that attains to the out-resurrection
must be “perfect”. The Greek word for “perfect”
is teleioo (tel-i-o’-o)
and refers to completeness or maturity as a
Christian. It refers to a level of maturity in
the Christian faith that only Christ is capable
of judging. This level of Christian maturity is
different for every Christian, for Christ will
consider everything in this judgment. This
individual and tailored judgment by Jesus is
possible because Jesus Christ is omniscient. He
knows everything about us individually. He knows
our weaknesses, our strengths, our
opportunities, our obstacles and our sincerity
and efforts expended in being faithful to him.
The Christian who has exerted no effort in
living the Christian life will almost certainly
be “cut asunder” or separated at the time of the
Firstfruits Rapture. This means that unfaithful
dead Christians will be left in the ground, and
unfaithful living Christians will be left upon
the earth to go through the first half of the
tribulation period. Paul was
striving to attain to that for which Christ had
established for him. This goal that Paul was
striving for is to be the bride of Christ. This
is the highest level of reward in the kingdom,
and it requires faithfulness to the Lord to
achieve this goal. Most Christians today
automatically assume that they are the bride of
Christ, but even Paul did not assume to have
attained this great honor. (Phil 3:13
KJV) Brethren, I count not myself to
have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which
are before, Paul was most
likely a spiritual giant in the eyes of the
Philippians, yet he wanted them to know that he
had not reached the final stage of his
sanctification. He had not yet accounted himself
as worthy of the out-resurrection. He was still
striving for spiritual maturity in the faith. If
Paul had not yet accounted himself as worthy of
the out-resurrection, then no Christian should
presume himself as worthy of this great honor.
We should never cease striving to be among the
Firstfruits Christians. There is a level of
maturity for this honor that only Christ can
judge, as stated above. Much is expected of the
Christian who has been given much. (Phil 3:14 KJV) I press toward
the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus. Paul reiterates
that he is striving for the prize of the high
calling of God, which is to be the bride of
Christ Jesus or “win Christ”. The bride of
Christ will be the highest level of reigning and
ruling by Church members in the kingdom of
heaven. It is true that all members of the
Church have been espoused or betrothed to Jesus
Christ, but many will not measure up in their
faithfulness to Jesus Christ during the Church
age. All members of the Church will be in
heaven, but not all members will be awarded the
grand prize of the high calling of God—to be
presented as the bride of Christ. Please read The Bride of Christ
and my article on The
New Jerusalem—Figure for the Church of God
for a more detailed discussion on the bride of
Christ, her identity and her role in the New
Jerusalem. The following
Scripture passage confirms that not all the
Church will be the bride of Christ: (2 Cor 11:1 KJV) Would to God ye
could bear with me a little in my folly: and
indeed bear with me.(2 Cor 11:2 KJV) For I am jealous
over you with godly jealousy: for I have
espoused you to one husband, that I may
present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.(2 Cor 11:3 KJV) But I fear, lest
by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve
through his subtlety, so your minds should be
corrupted from the simplicity that is in
Christ. The Corinthians
were a carnal group of Christians, and Paul was
very doubtful that they would remain faithful in
their espousal to Jesus Christ. Just as Joseph
was planning to put away or divorce Mary when he
thought she had been unfaithful, Jesus Christ is
going to put away or divorce those Christians
who are unfaithful in their betrothal to him.
The separation (i.e., cut asunder) or
Firstfruits Rapture is the divorcement that will
take place. Please read my dissertation on The Separation
for a more detailed look at the divorcement that
will take place. B. Mature
Christians strive to be the bride of Christ
(3:15-21) (Phil 3:15 KJV) Let us therefore,
as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if
in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall
reveal even this unto you. Paul exhorts
and urges mature Christians that this should
also be the focus of their minds. The NIV
translates this verse as follows: (Phil 3:15
NIV) All of us who are mature should
take such a view of things. And if on some
point you think differently, that too God
will make clear to you. Those
Christians who think the whole Church is going
to be the bride of Christ are going to be in for
a rude awakening at the Firstfruits Rapture. As
seen above, Paul was striving with his whole
being to be among the out-resurrection, which is
the separation between faithful and unfaithful
Christians who have died before the Firstfruits
Rapture takes place. Faithful Christians will be
resurrected out from among the unfaithful
Christians at the out-resurrection. (Phil 3:16 KJV) Nevertheless,
whereto we have already attained, let us walk
by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Paul states
that they should strive for this high calling of
God regardless of the level of maturity that has
been achieved. Jesus Christ will be the Judge of
those who have attained to the Firstfruits
Rapture, and only He knows the level for each
person. Each Christian will be judged based on
his length of time as a Christian,
circumstances, opportunities, obstacles,
strengths, and virtually every thing that that
Christian has experienced. Only Jesus Christ
knows who will be accounted worthy for the
out-resurrection. To be the bride of Christ is
the “blessed hope” and all Christians should be
striving for the Blessed Hope, which is to “win
Christ” (3:8). Jesus Christ is The Blessed Hope, and it
is a hope and not a certainty. This verse
states that all Christians should be striving
for the Blessed Hope, regardless of their
maturity level. Many recent Christians with
lesser maturity levels will be accounted as
worthy for the Firstfruits Rapture, if they have
greatly improved in their Christian walk. Those
of us who have had many years for Christian
maturity will have much more required of us.
Those of us who have been given much will have
more required of us. This is why even Paul did
not presume himself as worthy for the prize of
the high calling of God. This is why none of us
should presume ourselves as worthy of the prize
of the high calling of God. (Phil 3:17
KJV) Brethren, be followers together
of me, and mark them which walk so as ye
have us for an ensample.Paul urges the
Philippians to follow him as an example and
others that are striving for the same goal of
the prize of the high calling of God. (Phil 3:18
KJV) (For many walk, of whom I have
told you often, and now tell you even
weeping, that they are the enemies of the
cross of Christ:As Paul is
urging the Philippians to strive after the high
calling of God, he warns them that many
Christians are walking or living their Christian
lives as enemies of the cross of Christ. Paul is
greatly saddened by this fact that Christians
are living as the enemies of the cross of
Christ. In the current Laodicean church age,
many Christians are living as enemies of the
cross of Christ.. Unfortunately,
many Christians automatically assume that Paul
is speaking of spiritually unsaved people—even
though the distinction is between mature and
immature Christians. (Phil 3:19 KJV) Whose end is
destruction, whose God is their belly, and
whose glory is in their shame, who mind
earthly things.) The end of
these Christians who are living as enemies of
the cross of Christ is destruction or perdition.
This destruction will take place at the Judgment
Seat of Christ when the souls or lives of these
Christians are adjudged as a total waste. This
is the loss of the soul at the Judgment Seat of
Christ and only pertains to Christians. The NASB
translates this verse as follows: (Phil 3:19 NASB) whose end is
destruction, whose god is their appetite, and
whose glory is in their shame, who set their
minds on earthly things. The god or idol
of these Christians is the things that they
seek. Their idol is the things that they have an
appetite for, and this is described as earthly
things. The clause “whose glory is in their
shame” means that these Christians consider
their assets or prize-worthy things to be those
things that will actually be to their shame at
the Judgment Seat of Christ. For example, the
Laodicean church today considers material wealth
as a sign of God’s favor towards them. It will
be to their shame at the Judgment Seat of
Christ. This is seen in the following verse:
(Rev 3:17 KJV) Because thou
sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods,
and have need of nothing; and knowest not that
thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor,
and blind, and naked:These
Christians who will be destroyed at the Judgment
Seat of Christ “set their minds on earthly
things”. They are caught up in worldly things
and their
god is their appetite for worldly treasures.
They are not longing for the return of the Lord
to set up his kingdom, and they are not seeking
after the high prize of his calling. They are
seeking after wealth, honor and status in the
current earthly kingdom with Satan as the king.
This contrast is seen in the following verse:
(Phil 3:20 KJV) For our
conversation is in heaven; from whence also we
look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Paul states
that the citizenship (i.e., conversation) of
mature Christians is in heaven. The mature
Christian has the coming kingdom of heaven as
his focus, and the mature Christian is watching
for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to set
up his kingdom on the earth. The mature
Christian has his focus on heaven rather than
earth. (Phil 3:21 KJV) Who shall change
our vile body, that it may be fashioned
like unto his glorious body, according to the
working whereby he is able even to subdue all
things unto himself. When Jesus
Christ returns to set up his kingdom, all
Christians will receive a new glorified body,
and this body will be similar to the one that
Jesus Christ received when He was resurrected.
Some Christians will receive more glory and
their glorified body “may be fashioned like unto
his glorious body.” This means that some
Christians will share the magnificence,
excellence, preeminence, dignity and grace that
Jesus Christ possesses. However, not all
Christians will share in the highly exalted
state that Jesus Christ will exhibit. All
Christians will receive glorified bodies, but
some will receive much more glory than others.
This higher glory will be manifest to all
present in heaven. This is the reason for the
conditional clause “may be fashioned like unto
his glorious body.” The bodies of some
Christians will shine with great glory, but many
will shine with lesser glory. All Christians
shall be conformed to the image of Christ, but
some will shine much more than others will. Some
Christians will be very plain in comparison to
the bride of Christ. A good analogy is the bride
and her bridesmaids. The bride outshines them
all in her beautiful white bridal gown. The
bridesmaids are beautiful in their colorful
dresses, but they pale in comparison to the
bride. The family members are also decked out in
their fine clothing, but they also pale in
comparison to the bridesmaids. IV.
Final Exhortations for Maturity in the Faith
(4:1-23) Paul’s love for
the Philippians is evident throughout this
letter, but it is highly evident in this final
chapter. One of Paul’s chief concerns was that
the fruit of the Spirit would characterize the
Philippians. Love, joy and peace were primary in
Paul’s mind for the Philippians. Christ must be
the center of a believer’s life in order for
these graces to be manifest. (Phil 4:1
KJV) Therefore, my brethren, dearly
beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so
stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.In this verse
Paul expresses his great love for this
congregation of believers, and he provides a
general plea for unity and steadfastness. Paul
calls them his dearly beloved and longed for
brethren. He also calls them his joy and crown
and exhorts them to stand fast or remain
faithful to the Lord. The crown of joy is the
crown of rejoicing, which is one of the five
crowns addressed in the Bible. The crown of
rejoicing is on the same level as the crown of
glory, and is won by being a soul winner. Souls
are won by witnessing to other Christians. This
is why Paul describes the Philippians as his joy
and crown. Please read The Five Crowns for
an in depth discussion of the five crowns that
may be won by faithful service to the Lord.
(Phil 4:2
KJV) I beseech Euodias, and beseech
Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in
the Lord.Two women were
apparently not living up to their names. Euodias
means a “prosperous journey” and Syntyche means
“a pleasant acquaintance.” In pleading with
these women to agree with each other in the
Lord, Paul infers that they were causing
dissension in the assembly. This confirms Paul’s
plea for unity in verse 1. (Phil 4:3 KJV) And I entreat thee
also, true yokefellow, help those women which
laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement
also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose
names are in the book of life. Paul also
refers to one individual he calls “true
yokefellow” to help these women in seeking a
unity in the faith. The Greek word for
“yokefellow” is also the proper name Zyzygus and
seems to be the meaning in this verse. He
alludes to the fact that Euodias and Syntyche
had been laborers in the gospel along with a man
named Clement, and with other “fellowlabourers”.
Paul mentions that their names are in the book
of life. The book of
Life contains the names of all Christians, and
represents that all Christians may win the crown
of Life. If a Christian fails to be an overcomer
in his walk with the Lord, then his name will be
blotted out of the book of life. The book of
life pertains to soul salvation and not spirit
salvation. Unfortunately, many Christians will
have their names blotted out of the book of life
when they appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Overcoming Christians will not have their names
blotted out of the book of life. Paul is
reminding these believers that their names are
in the book of life, and he is making the point
that works (i.e., being a fellow laborer) is
necessary for the name to remain in the book of
life. Christians
whose names remain in the book of life are
those who overcome the world, the flesh and
the devil. Jesus warns Sardis church
members in the following verse about the
possibility of having their names blotted out of
the book of life: (Rev 3:4 KJV) Thou hast a few
names even in Sardis which have not defiled
their garments; and they shall walk with me in
white: for they are worthy.(Rev 3:5 KJV) He that overcometh,
the same shall be clothed in white raiment;
and I
will not blot out his name out of the book
of life, but I will confess his name
before my Father, and before his angels.
(Phil 4:4 KJV) Rejoice in the
Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Paul exhorts
the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord alway”
and he repeats it. The meaning is for them to be
well and to thrive in their Christian walk. The
only way for them to do this is “in the Lord”.
They are to thrive and have inner joy in the
face of external circumstances such as
persecution, imprisonment and the threat of
death. (Phil 4:5 KJV) Let your
moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is
at hand. Paul encourages
them to let their gentleness (i.e., moderation)
be known to all men. This suggests a forbearing,
nonretaliatory spirit. Joy is an inner quality
in relation to circumstances, and may not always
be seen, but the way one reacts to
others—whether harsh or gentle—can be observed.
Paul is telling the Philippians to allow their
rejoicing (vs. 4) to be seen by everyone in the
manner in which they react to their
circumstances. “The Lord is at
hand” refers to the Second Coming to set up the
kingdom. Paul stated this since they were still
in the 40-year testing of the Jews, and it was
conceivable that the Lord could return to set up
his kingdom. The end of the 40-year period ended
about 8 years after this epistle was written,
and the Diaspora took place with the destruction
of Jerusalem and the temple. Jesus stated that
the “kingdom was at hand” in his 3-1/2 year
ministry to the Jews. The requirement was that
the nation of Israel repent and be baptized. We
know that this did not happen then, and it did
not happen during the 40 years that the kingdom
remained open to Israel. The 40-year period
ended with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD
by the Roman General Titus. Paul was reminding
the Philippians that the return of Jesus was a
distinct possibility at that time. If Jesus had
returned at that time, then the kingdom of
heaven would have been given to the Jews. Of
course, we know now that this was not in God’s
plan, so it did not happen. (Phil 4:6 KJV) Be careful for
nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God.Paul exhorts
the Philippians to be anxious for nothing. To
“be careful” means to be anxious or troubled
with cares. Instead of being loaded down with
the cares of this world, the Philippians were to
pray about everything and to make their
petitions known to God. It is actually a sin to
worry and be anxious, since we are to put our
faith and trust in Jesus Christ. We are to
entrust our spiritual well being unto Jesus
Christ. This is the meaning of the clause
“believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Christians
are commanded to entrust our spiritual well
being unto his power and authority. (1 John 3:23 KJV) And this is his
commandment, That we should believe on the
name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one
another, as he gave us commandment.(1 John 3:24 KJV) And he that
keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and
he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth
in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
(Phil 4:7 KJV) And the peace of
God, which passeth all understanding, shall
keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus. If we pray and
petition God to help us in our Christian walk,
then we can have the peace of God, which is
beyond our understanding. This peace of God will
overwhelm our hearts and minds and maintain us
through the power and authority of Christ Jesus.
The peace of God is not the bubbly, giddy
happiness that many Christians mistake for peace
and joy, but it is the inner peace and
confidence that God will complete every promise
that he has made to us. It is the Laodicean
church that exhibits the frothy, giddy, showy
Christianity that is nothing but pretense and
false piety. It is the Philadelphia church that
suffers in quiet with the peace and calmness of
God, knowing that Jesus Christ will judge all
things in truth and sincerity. The frothy,
giddy, showy Christianity will be shown to be
nothing but wood, hay and stubble. (Phil 4:8 KJV) Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things
are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things
are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things. Paul tells the
Philippians about the things upon which they
should meditate He is talking about being a
“doer” of the Word of God and not just a
“hearer”. The things that are honest are the
things that will not deserve a rebuke at the
Judgment Seat of Christ. The just things are
things that are right or equitable. They are the
things that fall under the category of relative
righteousness, and they are fair and impartial.
Pure things are things that are pure of
carnality. They are chaste and clean. The lovely
things are things that are acceptable to our
brothers in Christ who are walking in the
Spirit. They are things that reflect brotherly
(i.e., phileo)
love. Things of good report are reputable
things. They are things that are known among
Christians to be the right behavior. These may
be things that are not really sin, but are
perceived as wrong by other Christians.
Christians should avoid things that even appear
to be wrong. Christians should avoid even the
appearance of evil. Things of
virtue are things of moral excellence. This
includes all things that we do in our lives that
are morally right. The list is in the thousands
or even millions of righteous acts and acts of
restraint. It includes every act or behavior
that does not grieve or quench the Holy Spirit.
Things worthy
of praise are the proactive things that
Christians do that are deserving of commendation
or approbation. The phrase
“think on these things” is used metaphorically
and means that the Philippians are to actually
have these things passed over to their account.
This means that they are to do more than just
think on these things. They are to act on these
thoughts to the point that these things are
actually credited to their account for the
Judgment Seat of Christ. (Phil 4:9 KJV) Those things,
which ye have both learned, and received, and
heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of
peace shall be with you. Paul continues
the thought in using himself as an example for
them to follow. Paul emphasizes that the
Philippians have already learned these things
from Paul, accepted these things from Paul as
true, heard or believe these things from Paul as
being true, and they have seen Paul doing these
things. Therefore, they SHOULD DO these very
same things. Paul is telling them not to be just
hearers of the Word, but they should be doers of
the Word. A hearer is one who hears, understands
and believes something true, but he does not
take action on this truth. A doer is someone who
hears, understands, believes and acts in
accordance with what he knows to be true in
regard to the Word of God. Numerous Christians
are hearers of the Word but not doers of the
Word. A hearer is saved spiritually, but a doer
is effecting the salvation of his soul. The
doers are the ones that will realize soul
salvation at the Judgment Seat of Christ. If the
Philippians DO these same things that Paul is
doing, “the God of peace shall be with you”.
This means that their Christian life will be
marked by a tranquil state of mind marked by
harmony and concord—even when life’s
circumstances are everything but tranquil and
harmonious. The Christian who is a doer of the
Word of God does not have his tranquility upset
by the circumstances of life. He goes through
the trials and tribulations of life in a
tranquil state of mind. He is filled with love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in
spite of life’s circumstances. The doer of the
Word of God exudes the fruit of the Spirit in
spite of his circumstances. (Phil 4:10 KJV) But I rejoiced in
the Lord greatly, that now at the last your
care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye
were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Paul says that
he is rejoicing that the Philippians once again
have an opportunity to show their care and
concern for Paul. We must remember that Paul is
under house arrest with the potential for being
executed, and the Philippians are taking care of
him economically with their gifts, and
spiritually through intercessory prayer. Paul is
rejoicing that the Philippians are being doers
of the Word of God in this grand opportunity
that has been provided for them. (Phil 4:11 KJV) Not that I speak
in respect of want: for I have learned, in
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content. Paul makes it
clear that his rejoicing is not because of his
need—even though a real need—but because of the
reward that the Philippians are accruing to
their account. Paul iterates that he has learned
to be content “in whatsoever state I am”. This
confirms that the “peace of God” is with Paul in
his dire circumstances. A Christian who can have
peace and contentment while incarcerated and
looking at possible execution certainly has the
“peace of God”. (Phil 4:12 KJV) I know both how
to be abased, and I know how to abound: every
where and in all things I am instructed both
to be full and to be hungry, both to abound
and to suffer need. Paul continues
by stating that he has learned how to be content
with being in a low position or in a high
position. He knows how to be content when he has
plenty to eat and little to eat. He knows how to
be content when he has no needs and when he has
many needs. (Phil 4:13 KJV) I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Paul sums up
his ability to be content in all things to Jesus
Christ, who provides the strength for him to do
these things. (Phil 4:14
KJV) Notwithstanding ye have well
done, that ye did communicate with my
affliction.Paul commends
the Philippians for their well-doing and
comments that they were partakers (i.e.,
communicate) with his afflictions. This means
that they shared his afflictions with him. The
Philippians vicariously suffered with Paul. We
can probably understand this better if we have
been parents or grandparents attending to sick
children. We suffer right along with our
children or grandchildren when they are sick or
are enduring hardship. This is the unconditional
love that defines agape. (Phil 4:15 KJV) Now ye
Philippians know also, that in the beginning
of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia,
no church communicated with me as concerning
giving and receiving, but ye only. Paul again
commends the Philippians for their generosity in
providing economic help to him. In the beginning
of their Christian experience (Acts 16) when
Paul left Macedonia, they were the only ones
that shared with Paul. (Phil 4:16 KJV) For even in
Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my
necessity. Also, when Paul
was on his second missionary journey in
Thessalonica (Acts 17:1) and was in need, the
Philippians sent aid to him two times. (Phil 4:17 KJV) Not because I
desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may
abound to your account.Paul confirms
that his joy was not because his needs were met,
but because the Philippians were bearing fruit
that would accrue to their credit at the
Judgment Seat of Christ. Others were always
uppermost in Paul’s mind. (Phil 4:18 KJV) But I have all,
and abound: I am full, having received of
Epaphroditus the things which were sent from
you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice
acceptable, wellpleasing to God. Paul lets the
Philippians know that he is no longer in need
because of their gifts. He tells them that he is
amply supplied with the necessities, and that
their gifts were acceptable as a sacrifice and
well-pleasing to God. (Phil 4:19 KJV) But my God shall
supply all your need according to his riches
in glory by Christ Jesus. Paul tells the
Philippians that God will also supply all of
their needs in accordance with the glorious
riches in Christ Jesus. Since the Philippians
met the needs of Paul, God would reciprocate and
meet their needs. It is a spiritual principal
that the Christian who gives generously of his
means will always have his needs met abundantly.
God would not only meet their needs out of his
bounty, but also in accordance with it. (Phil 4:20 KJV) Now unto God and
our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.In concluding
the epistle Paul gives praise to God who is
their Father. (Phil 4:21 KJV) Salute every
saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are
with me greet you. Paul concludes
by sending final greetings to every Christian in
Philippi from the brethren in Rome. (Phil 4:22 KJV) All the saints
salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's
household. A salute is an
expression of good will or respect from the
Christians in Rome and chiefly those Christians
of Caesar’s household. These Christians had most
likely come to Christ as a result of Paul’s
house arrest through the soldiers chained to
him. (Phil 4:23 KJV) The grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.In accordance
with Paul’s usual practice, he gave prominence
to the marvelous grace of Jesus Christ in his
conclusion.